BACKGROUND:Movement is an effective way to provide sensory,movement and reflectivity afferent stimulation to the central nervous system. Movement plays an important role in functional recombination and compensation in the brain. OBJECTIVE: To observe movement training effects on texture parameters of synaptic interfaces in the sensorimotor cortex and hippocampal CA3 area of the ischemic hemisphere and on motor function in cerebral infarction rats. DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING: This neural morphology and pathology randomized controlled animal experiment was performed at the Center Laboratory,Affiliated Hospital of Luzhou Medical College,China from November 2004 to April 2005. MATERIALS: A total of 32 healthy male Wistar rats aged 8 weeks were equally and randomly assigned into model and movement training groups. METHODS: Rat models of right middle cerebral artery occlusion were established using the suture occlusion method in both groups. Rats in the movement training group underwent balance training,screen training,and rotating rod training starting on day 5 after surgery,for 40 minutes every day,6 days per week,for 4 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Texture parameters of synaptic interfaces were determined using a transmission electron microscope and image analyzer during week 5 following model induction. The following parameters were measured: synaptic cleft width; postsynaptic density thickness; synaptic interface curvature; and active zone length. Motor function was assessed using balance training,screen training,and rotating rod training. The lower score indicated a better motor function. RESULTS: The postsynaptic density thickness,synaptic interface curvature,and active zone length were significantly increased in the sensorimotor cortex and hippocampal CA3 area of the ischemic hemisphere of rats from the movement training group compared with the model group (P<0.05 or 0.01). Curved synapses and perforated synapses were seen in the sensorimotor cortex and hippocampal CA3 area at the ischemic hemisphere of rats from the movement training group,while flat synapses were found in the model group. Balance training,screen training,and rotating rod training scores were lower in the movement training group than the model group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Movement training enhances synaptic plasticity in the sensorimotor cortex and hippocampal CA3 area at the ischemic hemisphere of cerebral infarction rats,and promotes the recovery of motor function. BACKGROUND: Movement is an effective way to provide sensory, movement and reflectivity afferent stimulation to the central nervous system. Movement plays an important role in functional recombination and compensation in the brain. OBJECTIVE: To observe movement training effects on texture parameters of synaptic interfaces in the sensorimotor cortex and hippocampal CA3 area of ​​the ischemic hemisphere and on motor function in cerebral infarction rats. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: This neural morphology and pathology randomized controlled animal experiment was performed at the Center Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Luzhou Medical College, China from November 2004 to April 2005. MATERIALS: A total of 32 healthy male Wistar rats aged 8 weeks were equally and randomly assigned into model and movement training groups. METHODS: Rat models of right middle cerebral artery occlusion were established using the suture occlusion method in both groups. Rats in the movement training group underwent balance training, screen training, and rotating rod training starting on day 5 after surgery, for 40 minutes every day, 6 days per week, for 4 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Texture parameters of synaptic interfaces were determined using a transmission electron microscope and image analyzer The following parameters were measured: synaptic cleft width; synaptic interface curvature; and active zone length. Motor function was assessed using balance training, screen training, and rotating rod training. The lower score indicated a better motor function. RESULTS: The postsynaptic density thickness, synaptic interface curvature, and active zone length were significantly increased in the sensorimotor cortex and hippocampal CA3 area of ​​the ischemic hemisphere of rats from the movement training group compared with the model group (P < 0.05 or 0.01). Curved synapses and perforated synapses were seen in the sensorimotor cortex and hippocampal CA3 area at the ischemic hemisphere of rats from the movement training group, while flat synapses were found in the model group. Balance training, screen training, and rotating rod training scores were lower in the movement training group than the model group (P <0.05 CONCLUSION: Movement training enhances synaptic plasticity in the sensorimotor cortex and hippocampal CA3 area at the ischemic hemisphere of cerebral infarction rats, and promotes the recovery of motor function.